Union Ministers : In a major step towards promoting gender-sensitive governance at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to launch a transformative initiative to establish Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats (MWFGP). This initiative will be unveiled at a National Convention on March 5, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, as part of the Ministry’s International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations. The initiative aims to enhance rural governance by fostering safety, inclusivity, and gender equality for women and girls in Gram Panchayats nationwide.
The Convention will be honored by the presence of Union Minister of State, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel (Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) and Union Minister of State, Smt. Anupriya Patel (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare). Also attending will be Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, along with representatives from various Ministries, Departments, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and international organizations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Around 350 participants, including elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats, will join the event both physically and virtually. Representatives from at least one Gram Panchayat in each district across the country will take part in the Convention.
The main goal of this initiative is to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in every district, setting an example of gender-sensitive and girl-friendly governance. These model panchayats will reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of fostering safer, more inclusive, and socially equitable Gram Panchayats, aligning with the broader mission of building a Viksit Bharat through Viksit Panchayats.
Key Highlights of the National Convention:
- Virtual Inauguration of training programs for Elected Representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats, which will be developed as Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats.
- Launch of a Monitoring Dashboard to track the progress and impact of these model panchayats.
- Presentations on the Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat concept, featuring best practices and essential strategies for transformation.
- Screening of Informational Videos showcasing successful women-friendly initiatives in Panchayats across the country.
Following the National Convention, the Ministry will host nationwide Mahila Gram Sabhas on March 8, 2025, to mark the grassroots-level implementation of the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats initiative, in celebration of International Women’s Day.